Thee Conductor "Ennoia"
Meet Thee Conductor, a band led by the multi-talented Jason Butler. With decades of experience in the music industry and a lifetime of stories etched on his face, Butler has been busy creating his latest album “Ennoia”. The record showcases a strong and cohesive musical direction, giving listeners an authentic glimpse into the inner workings of Butler’s mind.
For this album, Butler chose to pair down his roster of players and singers, ensuring that every note and every word served a purpose. The result is a precise and focused sonic experience that is truly reflective of Butler’s artistry. In his own words, “This record is the most ‘me’ I have yet to do”.
Adding to the magic of “Ennoia”, Butler invited the legendary Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (Will Oldham) to lend his emotive and vulnerable voice instrument to each track. The partnership between Oldham’s voice and Butler’s lyrics is truly unique, creating an honest and poignant listening experience that will tug at your heartstrings.
Butler also brought in some heavy hitters to add their own unique touch to the album. Glenn Kotche (Wilco) joins on two tracks, creating a wild percussive ride with sounds of Kalimba, a drum kit, and various other toys on the first, and a soft textured and grounded pulse that pushes Butler’s words and Oldham’s voice to the front on the second. Meanwhile, Kevin Shea weaves in and out of controlled mania on the first track, adding to the overall complexity of the musical experience.
Justin Douglas (King Electric Recording) and Christopher Cox (arrangements) are vital partners in the makeup of Thee Conductor, playing critical roles in bringing Butler’s vision to life. And the album features other notable guests, including the Tosca String Quartet, Jeremy Lemos, and Delaine Leonard.
With “Ennoia”, Thee Conductor proves once again that they are a force to be reckoned with. Get ready to be transported on a journey of sound and emotion that is truly unforgettable.
The Chisel "What a Fucking Nightmare"
London based punk army The Chisel return with album number two. They up the production, the intensity and the anger on the Jonah Falco produced What a Fucking Nightmare. It’s a crushing and relentless selection that mixes oi!, hardcore, and street punk. this is pure blood, sweat and beers.
“The band was once described as a ‘fucking nightmare’ to be around, whilst we are lovely people we do embrace the chaos that comes with all of this so found it fitting to title our next album as such. The songs themselves mainly follow this theme but relate to all aspects of life. Lyrically, it is more of the same… no metaphorical meanings, no fantastical story telling, no pretentious bollocks…. Just tales of a life lived as it will always be.”
Th' Losin Streaks "Last House"
The album was recorded at Louder Studios in Grass Valley, California, with Tim Green (Nation of Ulysses, Fucking Champs) behind the board. Green played piano on several tracks, and Anton Barbeau – a friend of the band since the beginning – plays organ on some cuts. All of the band members – Tim Foster, Stan Tindall, Mike Farrell and Brian Machado – contributed to the songwriting, and the album also features a cover of The Weeds classic “It’s Your Time.” The album cover and other photos were shot by their pal (and Bay Area punk legend) Al Sobrante.
We asked the band what the record is about. This is what they told us:
This album is about true love and good times. And bad decisions. It’s about breaking down. It’s about coming apart. It’s about sleeping rough. It’s about Dyer Lane. It’s about shaking it til you make it. It’s about EKO, Silvertone and Supro, Vox (Super Continental) and the Hohner Marine Band. It’s about 2” tape. It’s about the plague, and politics, and war or hands of time. It’s about the ice cream man after the apocalypse. It’s a trans-world punk rave up. It’s about Link Wray, The Sonics and the Downliners Sect. It’s about The Rolling Stones covering Sam Cooke. It’s about Folk
Rock. It was about time slipping away (but it’s not now). It’s about bullshit. It’s about being too late, always too late. It’s about getting old. It’s about those who never will. It’s about the person you dream about but never get. It’s about nothing in this world. It’s about surviving T-Minus self-destruction. And about the other side.
The Cavemen "Ca$h for Scrap"
New Zealand’s THE CAVEMEN are back with a new long glob for a dirty and dilapidated world, and it’s as grimy as you’ve ever heard from the wretched brethren. “Ca$h 4 Scrap” scrapes up more than enough degenerate garage-punk trash with unavoidable forays into theme of death, demons, and even amputation, making sure to stop for a kiss on your daughter’s lips along the way. YUCK MOUTH SAY MUAH! “Booze, Ciggies ‘n Drugs” is the first single, and leaves us wondering how many types of cancer these ghouls have among them, and if all four Cavemen share a brain tumor. “Leather Boys” is solid gold junk shop stomp, and the rest… well, you know by now how THE CAVEMEN rock’n’roll – the ONLY way, because any other way ain’t!